Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

First Junior Open at Stoke Gabriel Boating Association

by Nicholas James 19 Jul 2016 10:20 PDT 10 July 2016
Junior open on the River Dart at Stoke Gabriel Boating Association © Nicholas James

Stoke Gabriel Boating Association (SGBA) hosted their first Junior open on Sunday the 10th July at their brand new purpose built club house on the picturesque River Dart. Thirty four children took to the water in their Tera, Topper and Feva dinghies for some competitive racing off Stoke Gabriel followed by a delicious barbecue and prize giving.

The event was organised by Charles and Rebecca Gillmore from SGBA and as an open invitation to the South West Youth Sailing Academies (SWYSA) Sailors. Many of the youngsters have recently completed an intensive course of winter training and were ready to practice their new skills which was evident with those sailors who had trained throughout the winter dominating the front half of the fleet. For many it was their first taste of competitive racing and the race officer and his team provided a great introduction for the sailors with lots of guidance to some of the novice sailors. Charles Gillmore said "Its great to see the progress the children have made with their winter training and you can see how it will benefit many of the other young sailors here today who have already signed up for next winters training".

The wind built to a gusty 22 knots under a blue sky and provided lots of excitement for the Feva crews planing away from the windward mark kites flying all under the close watch of the safety boat team led by Andrew Morrell. Competition at the front of the Tera fleet was very close with National squad sailors Freddy Gillmore and Will James battling for the first place against Albert Gillmore in his Pro rigged Tera.

The eight Topper dinghies also had some competitive racing with Toby Bloomfield leading the fleet closely followed by twins Zac and Luca in their 4.2 rigged Toppers. Robin and Ethan in their RS Feva clinched victory ahead of Max and Mark by only one point in the last race. Nick James from SWYSA commented that "having invitations from local clubs such as here at this beautiful spot, enables the sailors to have some great races against lots of boats of the same class and lots of fun afterwards with friends", "Its really good to see clubs working together for the benefit of the next generation of sailors"

Some of the sailors retired early from the last race as the temptation of the barbecue on the beach proved to much for them. A delicious spread was prepared by the parents to be followed by the prize giving with some fantastic prizes supplied by RS Sailing and SGBA. Albert Gillmore won the Pro fleet prize, Will James was first in the Sport fleet and Mark Ripley came first in his Topper. The overall handicap race was won by William James in his Tera Sport "Free Will".

All the sailors are now looking forward to their summer regattas with a Tera open being held at Dartmouth during Dartmouth's Royal Regatta and many have already signed up for the next winters training with SWYSA.

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais preview
Eleven teams hoping the Portuguese venue lives up to its reputation Given that it is a long time since the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet raced in big winds and waves, a breezy final few training days before the start of next week's Rolex TP52 World Championship in Cascais would be universally welcomed by the 11 teams. Posted today at 4:43 pm
Multiple 2025 Melges 24 ranking circuits heat up
Collectively more than 100 team entries have hit the starting line in pursuit of glory With summer in full swing, the 2025 Melges 24 racing season has hit its stride across North America, and the momentum is building. Posted today at 4:34 pm
Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week overall
Class Leaders Win Big at 20th Edition There were few surprises on the final day of racing at Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week as class leaders who took control on Day 1 skillfully navigated the unusual-for-Long Beach conditions to prevail in their respective classes. Posted today at 3:24 pm
Challenging winds for Edgartown Race Weekend
Rick Egan's Corbeau wins Venona Trophy, Chip Hawkins' Caneel collects three trophies It looked as if the M32 multihull Yonder, sailing in 'Round-the-Island race at Edgartown Race Weekend, might set a record, but a large wind hole near the finish of the 55-mile circumnavigation of Martha's Vineyard put a decisive end to that possibility. Posted today at 1:52 pm
SailGP opens tender process for two new teams
SailGP has confirmed 2026 expansion plans, unveiling details of a tender process to seek investment. SailGP has confirmed 2026 expansion plans, unveiling details of a tender process to seek investment for ownership of two new teams entering the global racing championship next season, alongside available stakes across existing national teams. Posted today at 12:09 pm
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted today at 11:07 am
National Women's Invitational Team Race overall
California team seals the deal in must-win final race Newport Harbor Yacht Club won the 5th edition of the National Women's Invitational Team Race for the Thayer Trophy in dramatic fashion. Posted today at 6:24 am
T. Freytag reigns at A Scow National Championship
Madcap masters madtown in Madison, Wisconsin Thomas Freytag's I-7 Madcap takes the win at the A Scow National Championship in Madison, Wisconsin. Posted today at 6:08 am
Inaugural ORC North American Championship Preview
Fleet is ready to race within the biennial Block Island Race Week Starting tomorrow an assembled fleet of 26 entries divided into three classes will start competing in the first-ever ORC North American Championship, embedded within the 31st edition of the Storm Trysail Club's biennial Block Island Race Week. Posted today at 1:57 am
Something for Everyone
At Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week Steve George is a good sport; after Day 1 Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week he was at the back of the fleet in Random Leg B class but he has a great sense of humor and was quite okay about that, understanding that his luck is in the hands of the universe. Posted on 22 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTER